This Son of Man is Jesus Christ, whom John describes as the
Ancient of Days is described in Dan. vii. 9, "Clothed with a garment down
to his feet; the hairs of his head were white like wool; his eyes were as a
flame of fire; his voice as the sound of many waters; and his countenance was
as the sun shineth in his strength." That this is Christ, who here says
"I am Alpha and Omega," you allow; and that this Jesus Alpha and
Omega, is the same Alpha and Omega, God Almighty, in ver. 8, is also
undeniable; for the connection is the same, nor is there the least distinction
of persons between the Alpha and Omega, God Almighty, ver 8, and the Alpha and
Omega, Jesus Christ, ver. 11; from which no other fair conclusion can be drawn,
than that as the Son of Man is Jesus Christ, who is Alpha and Omega, the first
and the last; and that as he who sitteth on the throne says, "I am Alpha
and Omega, God Almighty," the sense of these different Scriptures will be
this, the Son of Man is Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega; Alpha
and Omega is God Almighty, who sitteth on the throne; therefore Jesus Christ is
"the Almighty God, that sitteth on the throne; to him be glory both now
and for ever, Amen." 2 Peter iii. 18. (John Bellamy, first letter to
Joseph Priestly, in John Bellamy, Jesus Christ the only God. Being a defence
of that fundamental doctrine of the Christian religion, against Arianism and
Socinianism [London: W. Otridge, 1792], 49)
